Zephyrine


    I waited with bated breath, and then the massive gates parted. I stood still in the middle of it all. A ce I had left behind for five years. An identity I had shed to fulfill my parents‘ greatest wish.


    I took a step forward, and as though the fallen warrior heroes themselves were weing me, a cold wind swirled around me, blowing my hair backward.


    I am Zephyrine Ashmere of the Ash pack. Twenty–four years old. The only daughter of thest Warlord, Vale and War General, Seraphine. Younger sister to the best war strategist, Varyn.


    The Asp pack members are warriors, whoy down their lives to protect the Shifter Empire from demons. Thest battle that sealed the Demon Portal? I led it. I was given a medal, praised as a hero. Earn the title Goddess of war but I left all that behind… to be with Nyroth.


    “Zephyr.”


    That voice came and My breath caught.


    I would know it anywhere.


    Commander Thorn.


    I turned slowly to see him emerging from the tent ahead, the Moonstone Vessel in his hands. The one that carried my parents‘ ashes. Their remains.


    I never expected to feel this emotional. But being here, on thebat ground where I was raised and trained by my parents and others like them… it broke me. Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them down.


    As an Ashmere, we sacrifice many things. Emotion is one of them. We let it go.


    “Commander Thorn,” I greeted, bowing my head as he approached.


    He stared at me in silence for a long moment, then gave a firm nod, his jaw set.


    “It’s good to see you again, Zephyr,” he said atst, blinking. Then he extended the Vessel to me which I received it with a heavy heart.


    “I apologize for the dy. The final battle to close the Demon Portal was brutal. By the time we found their wolves, it was already toote. We couldn’t retrieve anything personal. No possessions remained when we arrived. If not for you, who led that charge… we would have all perished.”


    I heaved a deep sigh and nodded.


    “Thank you, Commander. You did your best.”


    He looked relieved at my grace, then his face fell slightly.


    “Zephyr… about your brother…”


    My heart stopped. My hands tightened on the Vessel.


    He paused. Then, carefully,


    “We couldn’t find his body. Or his wolf. He wasn’t among the dead. So… maybe your instincts are right. Maybe he is stil


    there.”


    “He is,” I said quietly but with conviction.


    Commander Thorn nodded solemnly. After a few seconds in silence, He shifted his gaze around, scanning the area.


    “Alpha Nyroth didn’te with you?”


    GULD


    His question struck something sharp inside me, but I smiled through it.


    “He’s preparing for the ckbridge Festival this weekend. There’s been a lot to n.”


    “That he couldn’t apany you on such an important asion?”


    Before I could respond, He sighed.


    “You’re an adult now, Zephyr. I trust your judgment. But remember this. If you ever wish to return to Moonveil Fortress… this gate will always remain open.”


    Return? To this life? To war? To honor?


    I looked into his eyes and felt the burn of truth press against my ribs. My days of battle were behind me. I had a new duty now or so I thought.


    I stepped back and stood at attention. The soldiers, now gathered under the moonlit sky, and Commander Thorn did the same. In unison, they bowed, not to me, but to my fallen parents, who bled for the empire.


    Tears blurred my vision as I turned to leave, clutching the Moonstone Vessel to my chest. I held them again. Even if only in ashes


    It rained that night as I returned from Moonveil Fortress.


    I had refused the Beta of Hue Pack’s escort. Since my mate wouldn’te, I went alone.


    Riding into the pack grounds, I stepped out of my carriage, the Moonstone Vessel still clutched tight.


    Normally, maids was supposed to cover me with umbres. But no one moved. No one cared for a woman who is an orphan. A “rogue.”


    I passed the guards and servants in silence and pushed through the door into the living room just in time to overhear Pam, Nyroth’s mother’s voice.


    That’s the best advice, my son. Don’t you see? If you marry Ka, not only do you gain her pack’s favor, but also a beautiful, influential woman at your side. She’s a sessful hostess. The first female envoy who brought peace into the empire. She could talk her way out of anything. But this barren woman you married has nothing to offer you, Nyroth.”


    My feet froze in ce. They hadn’t even noticed me.


    I watched Nyroth remain silent, not defending me.


    “My friend from ckbridge Pack told me,” Olivia, Nyroth’s younger sister, added, “Ka’s family is already arranging a marriage for her to another Alpha. If you’re not fast enough, she’ll be gone.”


    Jealousy crossed Nyroth’s face instantly. Raw and bitter. He never hid his feelings for her. Not even from me.


    Each time he looked at Ka like that, something inside me withered.


    Then came the gasp.<fn7acb> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find~Novel</fn7acb>


    Pam had finally noticed me. Her face twisted in horror, her eyes fixed on the Moonstone Vessel in my arms.


    “And what is that?” she snapped, just as cold as always.


    I stepped forward, soaked from the rain, too tired to fight.


    “My parents‘ remains. I’ve just brought them home from…”


    “Bad luck!” Pam shrieked, and I flinched.


    It took everything in me not to react.


    Pam had always been a thorn in my side, never hesitating to call me barren, not knowing her precious son had never once touched me since our private mating ceremony.


    “Nyroth,” she said firmly, turning to him, “this is a bad omen. Moon Goddess knows one rogue is bad enough, but now she brings the ashes of two more? She has to leave them outside the pack. Or pour them in the streets.”


    My eyes widened. What the…


    I turned to Nyroth, waiting, hoping for him to say something, anything. But then… he hesitated.


    “Zeph…” he began softly, avoiding my gaze, “I think you should… keep them outside. Just for tonight.”


    That was it. The final crack.


    “My parents? You think they’re a curse? Bad luck?”


    He said nothing. He wouldn’t look into my eyes. And yet again, he wouldn’t defend me.


    “Don’t pull that guilt–tripping crap!” Olivia suddenly burst. “Yeah, you’re bad luck, Zeph. You never should’ve been my brother’s mate. You only wormed into my brother’s life because of that mate bond!”


    She shoved me. Then Pam did too and Nyroth stood there. Watching. Silent. As always.


    The guards and maids stared. No one moved.


    Just then Olivia shoved me again, harder this time, and the Moonstone Vessel slipped from my grasp. Gasps rippled through the chamber, everyone knew a single crack could destroy the relic forever…